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Lloydminster Aquanaut Newspaper Articles.

Small swim meet, big results

By Scott Cameron
Booster Staff Writer
Wednesday, 27 June 2001

They strutted into Edmonton's Royal Glenora Club with just six swimmers last Saturday, but when the Lloydminster Aquanauts left, the water was still rippling.

The Aquanauts who opted for last weekend's meet - Alexis Edwards, Amy Edwards, Cory Totman, Robyn Hnatuk, Amy Zicker and Dave Cavanagh - returned to the Border City with four aggregate medals, and no finishes lower than fifth.

"The kids seem to want to win more. They want to finish first, get those aggregates and prepare themselves for regionals," said Aquanauts head coach Colleen Parker, who admitted that the first few meets are always a bit of a reconditioning process.

It looks like that stage is officially over - if it even took place. Of the four medals, three were gold.

Alexis Edwards - who medalled the previous weekend in Lloydminster - swam to first place finishes in three of her four races to win the eight and under girls aggregate gold.

The weekend was highlighted for the youngster with a first place swim in the 100 metre individual medley. It was the first time she ever swam it competitively.

"She was the top out of that, which is pretty amazing for a little eight-year-old girl to go in and swim it," said Parker.
The Aquanauts two other gold medalists earned similar praise from the coach.

"The same with Amy and Robyn," said Parker. "They just went in and took charge of all their races."
Amy Edwards' performance was almost identical to the younger Edwards, winning three of four races to get the gold in the nine and 10-year-old girls category.

Robyn Hnatuk was the other Lloyd swimmer to strike gold, racing to three first place finishes and a second to easily win the 15 and over girls aggregate.

Cory Totman nabbed the last medal for the Aquanauts from the 120-swimmer field, racing to three second place finishes and a third place to take the bronze aggregate in the 11 and 12-year-old boys.

The times didn't rival any personal bests, but the conditions sort of predetermined that. The pool was outdoors and while the weather was warm, a lack of starting blocks slowed the swimmers' times.

The Wainwright pool on July 7 promises to be faster. That's the Aquanauts' next action and Parker hopes to take a contingent of about 30 swimmers. The meet will be well attended and times that compare to their personal bests will likely be needed in order to compete for aggregate medals.

Not a problem, suggests Parker, assuring that the Aquanauts have yet to peak. "It always seems with the summer clubs that every meet, they are improving their times," she said.